Technically Speaking Archives - The Edge from the National Association of Landscape Professionals

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Technically Speaking

Sustainability: Native Versus Non-Native Plants

“Native plants give us a sense of where we are in this great land of ours,” Lady Bird Johnson, First Lady of the United States from 1963-1969, famously said. “I want Texas to look like Texas and Vermont to look like Vermont.” More than 50 years later, the landscape industry — and many of its […]

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Tree Care: Dealing with Foliar Diseases

Foliar diseases are one of the most common diseases in trees, and if left untreated, they will lead to plant death. That’s why identifying the different types of foliar diseases ailing your client’s trees and understanding how to treat them is incredibly important. So, what are some of the different types of foliar diseases and […]

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Technically Speaking: Controlling Mole Crickets

If you’re located in the Southeast or southern coastal plains, it’s very likely you’ve had properties fall prey to mole crickets at one time or another. Aptly named, mole crickets are related to crickets, but they have enlarged heavy-clawed front legs for digging through the dirt like a mole. They feed on grass roots and […]

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Lawn Care: Solutions for Snow Mold

Spring is well underway and as the snow melts, it may reveal an unwelcome surprise on your customer’s lawn: snow mold. Snow mold appears as nearly circular patches with the turf inside the circle appearing white, gray or pink and matted together. It is caused by gray snow mold or pink snow mold, with the […]

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Mulch Madness: The Pros and Cons of Various Mulch Material

Mulch has a number of benefits, including maintaining soil temperatures, inhibiting weed growth and conserving water. It can also help create a cohesive look in the landscape. However, the number of options when it comes to mulch material is vast. One question you have to ask your clients is if they prefer organic or inorganic […]

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Tips for Installing a New Tree to Share with Customers

Arbor Day is almost a month away and if you have clients asking questions about properly installing a tree, you can share these clearcut steps with them. First, discuss with your client what type of tree they’d like to plant. Make sure their desired species can thrive in the climate where they’re planting. Once those […]

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Technically Speaking: Caring for Ornamental Grasses

There are numerous types of ornamental grasses, and they can provide texture, movement and beauty to any landscape. These plants can be used as groundcovers, specimen plants, erosion control and vertical design elements. While they require little effort to maintain, they do still benefit from regular care such as pruning and dividing. Pruning  Whether pruning […]

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Photo: Jill Odom

Technically Speaking: Don’t Commit Crape Murder

If you’re located in the South or have visited the region in late January or February, you’ve probably noticed a strange phenomenon where dormant crape myrtles are suddenly beheaded.   Often this well-intentioned but ill-informed practice stems from the belief it is necessary to encourage flowering in the plant. This is not the case. It […]

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Technically Speaking: Identifying and Controlling Spotted Lanternfly

Since being detected in Pennsylvania in 2014, the spotted lanternfly (SLF) has spread throughout Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic states.   Currently, SLF distribution includes Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, New York, Delaware, New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana. You can view this county-based map for the most up-to-date record of […]

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Gypsy moth egg mass

Technically Speaking: Eliminate Overwintering Pests

Clients might think in the winter there are no lawn or landscape matters to concern themselves with, but this a prime time to monitor and eliminate overwintering pests that can become a problem in the spring. While one can hope the freezing temperatures will kill off all of these troublesome insects, many can survive as […]

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